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Need help reading MRI results

Hi

I have been suffering from severe neck pain, headaches and head feeling too heavy for my neck for a couple of months. I tried everything from physical therapy, nerve blocks. Currently on oral steroids. My results came back just now and my doctor is on vacation. Can somebody help me read these results?

Hi, sorry you are dealing with so much pain and discomfort due to your neck. One thing I have found that helps me, after trying so many that haven't helped, is deep tissue massage. The pain tightens up our muscles creating more pain just from the tight muscles. Just something to consider while you are dealing with this.

Now for the MRI, first remember all I can give you is personal experience not medical experience. The key part to read is the impression area as that is what conclusions the tech has come up with reading your MRI. Get a medical dictionary, there is one here on BT, to look up all the technical words you don't understand. Essentially your MRI notes you have changes that are flattening your spinal cord along with other changes of the vertebra that impacts the nerves that exit your spinal cord. It definitely shows reasons for the problems you are having and it will be up to you and your doctor what action to take. I know the feeling of being willing to do anything to get rid of the pain and get back to feeling 'normal' again. Just remember, although surgery is the best choice in some cases once you make that decision you have changed your body forever and you will be dealing with those changes the rest of your life. If you choose surgery I hope the changes are minimal and are easy to overcome each day. Good luck with your decision and whatever treatment you decide on.

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